For many young African artists, talent isn’t the problem, it’s everything else that makes success feel so far out of reach.
Across the continent, access to galleries is limited, national art institutions are underfunded, and support systems for creatives are few and far between. Even those who study art formally often graduate with little understanding of how to navigate the business side of the industry. Without platforms to showcase their work or connect with collectors, many are left discouraged, and end up abandoning their dreams for more practical careers.
That’s the kind of reality the Kuenyehia Trust for Contemporary Art set out to change.
“We saw that despite the immense creativity across Ghana, most artists lacked the opportunities and platforms to truly thrive,” Mr. Raymond M. Ahadzi, of the Kuenyehia Trust, shared with The High Street Journal. “So we created a space where they could be seen, supported, and celebrated.”
Since its founding, the Trust has helped reshape the visual arts landscape in Ghana, most notably through the Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art. Now in its eighth season, the Prize has become a respected platform for emerging artists, giving them not just visibility, but access to mentoring, professional networks, and creative development.
Recently, the Trust marked a major milestone: the expansion of the Kuenyehia Prize to Nigeria, a bold move in its mission to uplift young African creatives.
“This was more than just a geographic expansion,” Raymond explained. “It’s about deepening the impact. We want to connect with artists in Nigeria, collaborate with local institutions, and build something that resonates across the continent.”
Lagos, with its thriving creative scene, was a natural next step. Known as one of Africa’s cultural powerhouses, the city is home to a bold and dynamic art community. And for the Kuenyehia Trust, it represented more than opportunity; it signaled alignment with a wider movement to elevate African art on the global stage.
“We’ve seen firsthand how African art is rising globally,” Raymond said. “But for too long, many institutions have worked in silos. By coming together, Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond, we can build a stronger ecosystem that supports and celebrates African artists.”
Central to this new chapter was the Trust’s partnership with 1952 Africa, a Lagos-based institution that shares a similar vision. Together, they built bridges between artists, collectors, and communities, fostering collaboration that could shape the future of the continent’s art world.
“Our goal has always been to empower young African artists,” Raymond emphasized. “Not just to survive, but to thrive.”
The launch of the Kuenyehia Prize in Nigeria brought with it years of experience, hundreds of artist stories, and a firm belief that, with the right support, the odds for African artists don’t have to be so steep after all.
And the Winners Are:
At the culmination of the Lagos debut, the Kuenyehia Trust proudly announced the winners:
- Winner: Chinecherem Peace Ifedilichukwu (Nigeria)
Chinecherem Peace Ifedilichukwu (b. 1994, Nigeria) is a community-based artist specializing in ISIJI AKWA, a traditional fabric dyeing technique. Through vibrant colors and Uli symbols, her textile works blend heritage with contemporary life, fostering peace, hope, and cultural continuity.
Her winning piece, “Oil on Head” (2025), created with Isijiakwa on fabric (152 x 183 cm), explores the burdens and beauty carried by African women across generations.
- 1st Runner-up: Djibril Coulibaly (Senegal)
Djibril Coulibaly (b. 1997, Senegal) explores themes of identity, memory, and spirituality through a unique focus on fingerprints. His work integrates natural elements like dried leaves to address topics such as love, migration, and the role of women in society. His piece “Yes” (Acrylic on canvas, 130 x 144 cm, 2024) reflects his exploration of personal narratives and existential themes.
- 2nd Runner-up: Moses Adjei (Ghana)
Moses Adjei (b. 1995, Ghana) creates poignant portraits on unconventional surfaces, honoring the resilience of overlooked communities like the Kayayei head porters in Accra. His chiseled metal artworks explore themes of poverty, memory, dignity, and the quiet strength of society’s invisible heroes.
His exhibited works; “Rashida” (2023), “Mariama” (2023), and “Mamuna” (2023), are aluminum installations (each around 74–76 cm), continuing his commitment to telling powerful, underrepresented African stories.
Each of these artists was recognized for their outstanding creativity, technical skill, and dedication to storytelling rooted in African heritage and contemporary life.
Meet All the Artists:
Oluwatosin Popoola Tosin (b. 1997, Nigeria) is a self-taught photographer and cinematographer passionate about storytelling through fleeting moments. His project Echoes of Legacy explores Nigerian and West African cultural identity, blending traditional instruments like the talking drum with modern ones like the saxophone. Using tintype photography, Popoola seeks to preserve historical narratives across generations.
Segun Fagorusi (b. 1990, Nigeria) captures the spirit and wisdom of Nigeria’s elderly through detailed portraits, emphasizing the importance of oral history and life experiences. His work reminds viewers that each elder is a “living library,” offering irreplaceable knowledge and reflections on humanity’s shared journey.
Alassane Sy (b. 1998, Senegal) is a self-taught photographer whose work documents the evolving relationship between tradition, culture, and self. Through personal and collective narratives, Sy crafts visual stories that bridge past, present, and future, rooted deeply in community and collaboration.
Yusuf Olayinka Umar (b. 1987, Nigeria) is an accomplished artist and educator with a focus on portraiture and the human psyche. Blending realism with a liquidized painting technique, Umar explores emotions, memory, and identity, often incorporating emojis as visual cues to reflect changing moods.
Ezra Appiah (b. 1998, Ghana) is a self-taught artist known for works that highlight everyday life, transportation, and social issues. Using a collage-like style mixing acrylics, decals, wallpapers, and photo transfers, Appiah creates lively, textured narratives that invite audiences to reconsider the spaces they inhabit.
Prosper Aluu (b. 1999, Nigeria) brings a playful yet profound energy to his art, emphasizing African identity through exaggerated figures, iconic afro hairstyles, and his innovative “Abfillage” technique, a vibrant blend of abstract art and collage that tackles cultural storytelling and societal challenges.
Adulphina Imuede (b. 1992, Nigeria) uses therapeutic art to explore African representation, femininity, spirituality, and mental health. Her stylized paintings, featuring exaggerated heads rooted in Edo traditions, serve as emotional catalysts for self-renewal and cultural reflection, especially centering women’s experiences.
Ephraim Udoka (b. 1993 Nigeria): A self-taught artist focused on storytelling through his work. His piece “Asian Agwonwan” (The Fronting Lady) is a watercolor that celebrates the cultural heritage of women from Nigeria’s South and Southeast regions, with an emphasis on the vibrant and patterned outfits they wear during special events.
Burgundy Sena Kofi Appau (b. 1997 Ghana): A self-taught artist working primarily in acrylic on canvas. His works explore self-discovery and introspection. His series of blue figures encourage viewers to reflect on their identities, with backgrounds symbolizing life’s ups and downs. His artistic focus combines Renaissance aesthetics with dreamlike elements.
Yvann Zahui (b. 2001 Côte D’Ivoire): An artist reflecting on death and life after death, often using self-portraits and abstract images to explore the mystery of what happens after death. His ongoing project “Journey of the Body and Soul” uses shadows and empty spaces to represent absence and transitions from earthly existence to a spiritual world. The work aims to initiate conversations about grief, life, and choices.
Ismael Mahamadou Laouli (b. 1995 Niger): A photographer focused on capturing the lives of “little people” in society, those who are often overlooked but play crucial roles in their communities.
Inspired by Senegalese filmmaker Djibril Diop Mambéty, his work seeks to raise awareness about these individuals’ importance through thoughtful, staged photography.
